Good thought Gordon, Also..... on Ford the resistor switching is done with the starter relay so
check that also.
Regards,
Buzz
On Wed, 05 Dec 2001 19:02:41 +0000, you wrote:
>It might be.....
>
>sometimes there is a resistor in the area of the coil which allows 12
>volts to the coil when starting (key fully turned) but then cuts the coil
>input voltage down to 8 volts or so for normal driving - this cuts down
>the normal arcing across the points inside the distributor and helps the
>condenser.
>
>The outside of this 'ballast resistor' is normally bolted to the
>distributor or the bulkhead - whatever earth is convenient. If this
>resistor fails it effectively shorts out the whole ignition circuit and
>you get what you describe - including an 'interested' sound when you allow
>the key back from start to run. Assuming it's not electronic ignition or
>anything fancy, disconnect the low tension input wire to the coil, and run
>a wire direct from the battery positive post to that coil terminal, then
>try to start it as normal.
>
>If it starts and runs it's that !"£$%^& resistor - just find it and
>replace it. You should only do this as a test - don't drive the car that
>way, make sure all electrical connections are isolated, use safety gear,
>etc, etc.
>
>If this doesn't work get someone who knows to give it a kick, but plan on
>a new condenser as well.
>
>Gordon
>
>
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Jan 06 2002 - 22:26:50 PST